vice in the field after their sixth season. It is well known that Lord Yarborough's blood is the stoutest in the kingdom; there are few, if any, kennels which it does not adorn; and, I think I may safely add, in general perfections they are unrivalled by any, unless by the Duke of Rutland's and Earl Fitzhardinge's.

It is gratifying to remark that His Royal Highness Prince Albert expressed much pleasure in looking them over, and still more so that the Prince was aware of the general happiness and prosperity of the tenantry, infused in a great measure through the instrumentality of foxhunting. No other sport, no other occupation, can produce such results; and let us earnestly hope every precaution will be taken to increase and foster its continuance. Turning to the subject of steeple-chasing, and desirous to see it discountenanced in every way, the most practicable measure appears to be that of introducing something more worthy in its stead. For that purpose, and in order to encourage the breeding of powerful useful horses, hunt races might have the desired effect, providing they are so constituted as to be bond fide of that class. Meetings so organized would surely receive patronage. To illustrate my meaning, we will suppose Cheltenham as the arena, and it should go forth after this fashion: The Cheltenham Hunt Meeting, for horses the property of gentlemen and farmers residing within the boundaries of the country hunted by Earl Fitzhardinge, the Heythrope, the V. W. H., the Worcestershire, the Herefordshire, the Ledbury, and the Ludlow hounds. A subscription of ten sovereigns each; for three sovereigns of which, with an addition of twenty-five by the members of each hunt, horses belonging to the respective hunts to run against each other. Thus, five or six races would arise. The seven sovereigns to form another stake, to which a sum of one hundred might be given, for all or any horses that had previously ran in the races confined to their own hunts. A clause excluding horses trained at regular training stables, and another stipulating that they should be ridden by gentlemen, members of racing or foxhunting clubs, or by farmers, elected pro tempore by a committee consisting of one member of each hunt, would tend most materially to confine the class of horses and owners to that which is intended, namely, bond fide hunters and sportsmen. A fair fixed weight, about 11st. 71b., in all the races, with an addition of 5lbs. or 7lbs. on the winners of each hunt race when running for the principal or combined race, would obviate all the objections of handicapping. Meetings got up after this fashion would surely embrace more real interest than a steeple-chase; they would, in the first instance, bring into competition the horses in each hunt ; and, as a wind-up, they would all meet to contend against each other without incurring those barbarous cruelties so frequently witnessed in steeple-chases.

Albeit the Earl of Stamford has so prematurely made his bow to the preservers of foxes in the Albrighton country, they are not as yet destined to be without a pack of hounds to hunt that extensive district. A subscription is again raised, and under the influential management of the Hon. Wrottesley the country will be hunted as heretofore. The members of the hunt will now see it is much more conducive to the continuance of their sport to keep up the funds among themselves than depend upon any nobleman or gentleman, however affluent, who may be disposed for a brief period to disturb their permanent arrangements. Lord Gifford goes on with the H. H.

Breakfast at Maidenhead.-An unexpected arrival.-A day with the Royal staghounds. Dinner at Salthill. The late Theodore Hook, and the Reverend Edward Cannon.

Our last chapter concluded with our safe arrival at the Sun Inn, Maidenhead, after a somewhat perilous tandem journey; at the door of that then celebrated caravansary a crowd of grooms of all classes were assembled, waiting their masters' arrival. There might be seen the plain, neat, well-dressed men from the royal stables at Windsor, forming a strong contrast to the showy, gaudy costume of the London East-ender, whose sky-blue livery coat, with red collar, bedizened with silver lace, hat-band and rattlins of the same metal, showed that he belonged to some wealthy stock-broker or rich Orientalist. The real Meltonian, with (as the man says in the play)" a soul above buttons "livery ones at least, dressed in the simplest style, with nothing save a knowing look to mark his calling, stood by the side of the horse chaunter's man of all work, whose slouched hat, ill-shapen coat, bright yellow Belcher handkerchief, loose cord small clothes, and top less boots, gave one the idea that the emporiums of Monmouth-street or the Seven Dials had furnished his attire. The military bat-man, with tall, erect figure; the fashionable West-end light weight, who, "like master like man," turned out in the perfection of elegance; the rural yahoo, who had to attend to his master's hunter and the plough team; the country gentleman's sleek-headed, tun-bellied, rosy-faced groom; the horse-dealer's" man all were anxiously looking out for their respective employers. As we drove into the inn-yard at a rattling pace, the crowd made way for us, very much after the same manner that they would have done if a mad bull had made its appearance among their ranks. "Stand back, Jem," "Give 'em plenty of room;"" Regular Oxford swells!" exclaimed sundry voices as we pulled up at the door of the Sun.

We descended from our vehicle, were warmly welcomed by the landlord, who had known H- when at Littlewick Green, and were shown into the front parlour, where already were assembled some old Etonians anxiously awaiting our arrival. Horace Beaufort and myself were introduced to these young scions of nobility: breakfast was ordered, our grooms were sent for, and we had just commenced an attack upon the and bacon, mutton chops, grilled bones, devilled kidneys, hot toast, and

eggs

muffins, when the door opened, and to my great horror, Frank Alderson and his hoaxing friend, Billy Sanders, were announced the former covered from head to foot with mud, looking as if he had just emerged from Charvey ditch; and so he literally had, as I gleamed from his reply, when, after introducing him to my friends and new acquaintances, I asked him how he came to be in such a plight. "So soon as I came beyond Eton my steed threw me off in a slough of mire," responded the stage-struck hero; "and here I am, like that dear and true industrious friend, Sir Walter Blunt, new lighted from my horse, stained with the variation of each soil."

"We had a regular lark-mud lark one ought to say," chimed in his friend Billy, "for wishing to make a day of it, we came per coach to Colnbrook, rode round by Windsor and Eton, and just as we passed the college, two dare-devil youngsters challenged us to follow them across the country to Slough, and certainly my friend Alderson gained that spot in a wonderful short time, having been pitched into it within a field of starting; I, like a second Macheath, took to the road, and have only been guilty of a slight misdemeanour-that of carrying off a considerable quantity of dust and dirt, in despite of the following notice ;" and here the wag produced from his great-coat pocket a small board, upon which was painted "By order of the Commissioners, any person taking dirt off this road will be prosecuted according to law." While this not very prepossessing conversation was being carried on, I watched the countenances of H- and my Donnington friends, as well as those of the aristocratic Etonians, and, to adopt an American phrase, all looked "considerably ryled," at the unwelcome intrusion.

"But, Percy," continued Alderson, "how dost, my boy? We saw your arrival from our room, and knowing the house was full, I ventured to come seek you out, and take you where both fire and food was ready." I thanked him for his kindness, but fear that my features were not set to my tongue, for I saw that both my old London companions looked hurt at my manner.

"I'm starving with cold and hunger;" interrupted Sanders.

"In fellow there," responded his friend, pointing to the opposite room; "and as the world is cheered by the Sun, it will soon keep thee warm.

To my eternal shame be it spoken, the crest-fallen heroes, frozen by my chilly manner, were about to take their leave, when one of the old Etonians, Edgar Stanley by name, came forward, and in the best bred manner imaginable, urged the new comers to sit down and partake of our breakfast. "Waiter," continued Stanley, 'bring in more mutton chops and broiled bones, lay two places, and empty the whole of the contents of the caddy into the tea-pot." The ice once broken, the conversation went on swimmingly; young Stanley's good example being followed by all the party, who now vied with each other in paying every courtesy to the guests. I was as the illiterate say, completely "struck of a heap at the miraculous change that had taken place, and was not enlightened upon the subject until I heard Edgar Stanley talking to Alderson in most rapturous terms of the beauty of a young actress who had lately made her appearance on the winter boards. "Seyton and I posted up twice last week, from Oxford," said the infatuated youth, "to see the lovely creature."

"Indeed," responded Frank, calling Shakespeare again to his aid, "but this exceeding posting day and night must wear your spirits low." "Rather so in returning; but I still hope."

"Hope is a lover's staff;" interrupted Frank, "walk hence with that, and manage it against despairing thoughts."

"But," continued Edgar, "I hear from your friend Mr. Sanders that you have the entrée of the green-rooms. What would I not give to be introduced to my charmer!"

"I will do all my abilities in thy behalf--it shall be done;" responded Alderson, in a most pompous tragic style.

This conversation was interrupted by the entrance of the waiter, informing us that the hounds were now on their way through the town to the thicket. The "boots" brought in a brush, and proceeded to remove some of the now dried mud off Alderson's red coat and hat, and having mounted our steeds, we started off to join the concourse of sportsmen assembled at the place of meeting on Maidenhead Thicket. As H- was a thorough sportsman, he addressed a few words to us, telling us that if we separated, which was not unlikely, that Botham's, at Salthill, was to be the rendezvous: he politely invited Alderson and Sanders to join our party at dinner there, as soon as we could assemble after the hunt, and then joining Davis the huntsman, occupied himself entirely with the thoughts of the sport. Horace Beaufort, the old Etonians (with the exception of Edgar Stanley, who still devoted himself to Frank Alderson and his shadow Billy), and myself, kept near Hknowing that he possessed what the thimble-riggers of that day called "a quick h'eye and a good h'obserwation," and that, like the Quaker in Tom Dibdin's charming ballad, he "would be first in the throng." In the mean time we kept an eye upon the Shakesperian hero and the hoaxer, both of whom were indulging their usual propensities. "Hark!" exclaimed the former, "a cry more tuneable was never holla'd to, nor cheer'd with horn.'

"Hold hard! gentlemen," shouted Davis. The deer had now nearly gained the limit of law, the hounds were about to be laid on, when Sanders made a start, amidst the yells of the assembled sportsmen, followed by Alderson, who in a stentorian voice shouted forth the words of the noble Plantagenet, the hero of St. Alban's battle: " Hold, Sanders! seek thee out some other chase, for I myself must hunt this deer to death!"

"Hold hard!” repeated a dozen voices. Finding how unavailable was this appeal, Davis now laid on the hounds, and away they went at a rattling pace; H, Horace Beaufort, the huntsman, Edgar Stanley, and myself, in the first flight. We came to an awkward looking rail, with a deep ditch on the opposite side; Frank and his friend were in the act of craning when we approached it; our presence seemed to arouse the courage of the former, who, trotting back some thirty yards, charged it gallantly, exclaiming

For I have horse will follow where the game

Makes way, and run like swallows o'er the plain." But unfortunately the horse, more accustomed to the road than rail, hit the top bar, and threw his rider into the overflowing ditch.

"Like a swallow!" cried a popular young Guardsman from the Emerald isle," was it not a crane just now? and is it not more like a

duck?" With this sally of wit he rode on with those in the first flight, leaving the immersed spouter of Shakespeare to undergo the hydropathic system.

Billy Sanders delighted at so legitimate an opportunity of giving up the chase, namely that of assisting his friend, alighted from his horse, and with the aid of two country labourers, succeeded in extricating Alderson from his perilous situation. "I had been drowned," he exclaimed, nothing damped (we mean figuratively, not literally) in his ardent love of quotations, "but that the shore was shelvy and shallow." The two friends now mounted their horses, and trotted back to Colnbrook, where after changing their clothes, and refreshing themselves with a couple of glasses of hot brandy-and-water, hired a post chaise, and proceeded to Botham's, at Salthill, to await our arrival.

I pass over our day's sport, which was splendid; the deer having been headed near Ascot Heath, made the best of his way towards Langley Broom, and was taken before he could cross the river near Datchet. Here H, who had kept in the front rank during the day, awaited the arrival of those who, including myself, had been unfortunately thrown out, and we then proceeded through Windsor and Eton to Salthill. As a matter of course a visit was made to the "Christopher," and a troop of H's young friends were treated to cherry-brandy and other liqueurs. Upon reaching Salthill we found Frank Alderson and the hoaxer at the door of Botham's, in company with a gentleman whose face was familiar to me, but whose name I could not at the moment remember.

"I believe you have met Theodore Hook before," said Alderson, looking delighted at being on intimate terms with one of the "lions" of that and many a day since. "Mr. Hook, Mr. Percy Hamilton," said Alderson, as he presented that hoaxer par excellence, upon whose model Billy Sanders had attempted to build up a structure. "Ask him and his friend to dinner;" whispered H———, "and pray introduce us all." This ceremony duly performed, I ventured to ask the wit, to whom I had been introduced by my uncle, at a féte at Vauxhall Gardens to join our party at dinner.

"I should have the greatest pleasure," responded Hook, with a good-humoured chuckle, "but I'm on my road to London with a friend, a minor Cannon, though a great gun in his way, I assure you." "Bring him by all means, said H-, which was echoed by every

voice.

66

Spike him," said Sanders, sotto voce, somewhat subdued at the presence of a master spirit, "and that will prevent his going off."

"True;" responded Theodore, "but then he would be unable to give a good report of himself; but here he comes ready charged to fire a broadside at me for keeping him waiting."

"Why Hookems," exclaimed the new comer, "the chaise has been ready these ten minutes—a regular dice-box on wheels; it will rattle our bones to death. It will be dusk before we get over the heath; and if, like Major Sturgeon, Lieutenant Tripe, and Ensign Pattypan, we are attacked and robbed, we shan't find killing is no murder, as you make it out."

"This allusion to Hook's popular farce drew one of the most good humoured smiles from the author, who continued, "I am quite ready, Dean; but as these gentlemen," pointing to Alderson and Sanders, "are